Shine On – a fun adventure for all of us Forty-to-Forever gals

Ever since I wandered into a bookstore several years ago and picked up a copy of The Wildwater Walking Club, I have enjoyed reading books by Claire Cook.  I liked that first book so much that I began to look for other books that Claire Cook wrote, and one by one I read them all. 

Claire Cook is the queen of reinvention, and her optimistic and slightly sarcastic humor is always a fun escape for me, so I am excited that she has released a new book, and I am even more excited that she asked me to read and review it. 

Shine On: How to grow Awesome Instead of Old  is the second non-fiction book by Claire Cook.  Reading this book feels more like a conversation with a good friend.  Full of tips and practical advice on dealing with midlife, this book also shares stories; some funny and some very personal. From make-up and diets to setting priorities and achieving your goals, Claire Cook is open and honest as she shares what she has learned and offers encouragement for her readers to ‘shine on’ too.  

As a big fan of Claire Cook, I always enjoy her stories full of women with spunk, who are ready to challenge whatever is the next step in their life, and it is clear after reading this book that Claire Cook is not just writing about reinvention - she is living it.  

I had so much fun visualizing Claire walking her tape balance beam down the hall. I giggled as she described Kayaking down the river, only to realize that she was in water only a few inches deep.  I love how Claire confronts challenges head on, and if she realizes that something isn't for her, she is able to simply move on.  At times while reading this book, I felt like we were so much alike, from a tendency to walk around barefoot, to the struggles of trying to appreciate yoga, and failing to enjoy the experience, it often feels like she is describing me and my life.  

Full of inspirational quotes as well as practical suggestions, this is a perfect book to begin a new year on the right foot. 

Download a copy and start your own ‘Shine On’ notebook, let's grow Awesome instead of Old together.